With Messi taking control of Cornella, he joined Ronaldo in Spanish football as club owners in competing roles. (Image via Getty)
While most players spend years of retirement settling into coaching or cash, 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo is choosing his final chapter carefully, with three clear goals still on his agenda.
The Portuguese striker is expected to make his sixth World Cup appearance in 2026, which he has indicated will be his last, ending his career with a final push for legacy, numbers and something more personal.
The missing piece: the World Cup title
The most obvious goal is also the one that defined the final chapter of his international career. Ronaldo has never won a World Cup, despite participating in five editions between 2006 and 2022, making 22 appearances and scoring eight goals.
His best finish remains fourth place in 2006. A World Cup win is the only major honor missing from his record, and it’s also an honor already earned by Lionel Messi. This comparison has followed both players for years, and remains central to how their careers are measured. Portugal is not traditionally among the favourites, and has historically only reached the semi-finals twice, in 1966 and 2006. However, her European Championship win in 2016 is a reminder that she can compete beyond expectations.
Despite suffering a minor hamstring injury in March 2026 and a previous red card suspension that was later lifted, Portugal coach Roberto Martinez continues to view Ronaldo as a key part of the team heading into the tournament.
Race to 1000 Professional goals
Alongside his international ambition, Ronaldo is also close to achieving a statistical feat that has rarely been approached in football history. He scored his 969th career goal on April 19, 2026, during Al-Nasr’s 4-0 win over Al-Wasl in the Asian Cup.
UEFA Champions League
2 quarter-final, he scored in the 11th minute. This puts him within reach of the 1,000-goal mark, a number that has become a clear personal goal.
Messi, who has currently scored 905 goals, is also within striking distance, although the approach seems different. While Ronaldo continues to push for the feat, Messi has shown less urgency, even wasting chances, including allowing Nicolas Otamendi to take a penalty so he could celebrate his farewell moment with the national team, a gesture that shows he is not chasing numbers in the same way. Contradiction is not about ability but about intention. Ronaldo’s quest to reach number 1,000 has become part of his closing narrative, a goal he actively pursues rather than something that might happen along the way.Read also: Can Ronaldo play alongside his son in Al-Nasr next season? Reports say the club is planning to step up after his 16th birthday
A different kind of achievement: playing with Cristiano Junior
The third goal is less conventional but equally important for Ronaldo. There is now a realistic possibility that he could share the pitch at a senior level with his son, Cristiano Ronaldo Jr. The idea gained momentum after reports that Al-Nasr were considering promoting Ronaldo’s eldest son to the first team. Cristiano Junior will turn 16 in June, and although the move will still depend on development and timing, the possibility is no longer remote.
If that happens, it will place Ronaldo in a rare category of athletes who have competed alongside their sons at the highest level. The most common comparison is to LeBron James and Bronny James, who both moved toward a similar feat in the NBA. In football, such instances are extremely rare, especially at Premier League level, which is why this goal carries a different kind of weight. It’s not tied to awards or records, but to a moment that will stand alone in sports history.
Current form and final extension
Ronaldo’s form suggests that these goals are not purely symbolic. Even at 41 years old, he continues to influence matches and contribute decisively to victory, maintaining the form that keeps him at club and international level. His current contract with the Saudi club runs until 2027, as he signed a record extension that will keep him there until his 42nd year, with reports indicating his earnings are around €200 million per season, along with performance bonuses and commercial add-ons linked to goals and success.Internationally, he remains central to Portugal’s 2026 plans
Football World Cup
in June, which is expected to mark the final chapter of his international career. He continues to play a key role in the playoffs and leadership within the team, mentoring the younger generation while still leading the charge as they prepare for one last major championship together.
